The German Association of Nail Technicians (VNDD) has voiced strong criticism of a draft bill proposed by Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) aimed at combating black market labor within the hairdressing and cosmetics industries. The VNDD characterized the legislation as creating an “unfathomable presumption of guilt” against employees.
“Germany already has sufficient bureaucracy which disproportionately burdens small businesses like nail studios” stated Terri Malon, Managing Director of the VNDD, in comments to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland. “The fact that the federal government is further expanding this and placing an entire sector under general suspicion is deeply concerning.
Malon acknowledged a rise in nail studios operated by Vietnamese entrepreneurs since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she questioned the underlying assumptions regarding illegal employment practices, noting that these businesses are frequently located in city centers and shopping districts. “It’s difficult to imagine that employees are being illegally employed in these establishments.
The proposed legislation mandates identification requirements for employees in hairdressing salons, barbershops and nail studios. This measure is intended to facilitate the unequivocal determination of identity during inspections. According to the bill’s justification, requiring employees to carry identification would streamline the identification process during regulatory checks. The draft is slated for approval by the cabinet this Wednesday.